Drugs, nearly $4,500 in cash seized after accident

Published: Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 6:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 6:59 p.m.

BELLEVIEW — An Oxford man who had warrants out for his arrest was taken into custody following a traffic crash Friday when a large number of pills worth thousands of dollars and a significant amount of cash was discovered in the car he was occupying.

Marques Rashad Mitchell, 28, faces multiple charges, including trafficking in hydrocodone and oxycodone and driving while license is suspended or revoked habitual.

The manager at Mr. Ed’s Motel at 5035 SE Abshier Blvd. called the Belleview Police Department on Friday afternoon because of a disturbance, and Sgt. Larry Bryan went to the location. While there, Bryan saw several people arguing by a car. He then noticed a man pushing a woman out of the vehicle.

Bryan told the driver of the car to stop, but the driver told the officer he would return and drove from the parking lot.

Cpl. Jody Z. Backlund then noticed the vehicle, a white 2007 Chevy, leaving the motel’s parking lot and almost striking a silver vehicle hauling a boat. The Chevy continued southbound on U.S. 441 and Backlund followed the car with lights and sirens on.

Backlund noted the Chevy reached speeds of more than 100 mph and ran at least two stop lights on U.S. 441.

Running a red light at Southeast 132nd Street Road and U.S. 441, the Chevy struck a Buick, and the impact stopped both vehicles, Backlund said.

Backlund, now joined by Deputy Justin Tortora, went to the Chevy and ordered the driver, later identified as Mitchell, to get out. Mitchell refused to get out, and had to be pulled out of the car, where he was handcuffed, police said.

Searching Mitchell’s pockets, Backlund said he found numerous pills. Mitchell was then treated at the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue officials for minor injuries.

The driver of the Buick was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for treatment and is expected to recover from his injuries.

Officials said they then searched the Chevy and recovered $4,497 in cash and more pills.

The total number of pills found in Mitchell’s possession and in the car was 758. Among those in his posession were: oxycodone, hydrocodone, dilaudid, alprazolam, prednisone, diazepam, methadone and naroxone. Officials estimated the street value of the pills at $17,828.

Mitchell declined to talk with Belleview officers.

At the motel, the manager said Mitchell and a girl wanted to stay at the motel. However, she said she refused to rent them a room because motel policy states if a customer does not have photo identification, they cannot rent a room.

An argument ensued, and the manager decided to call Belleview officials for assistance.

Mitchell was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he faces multiple charges. The Florida Highway Patrol also investigated the crash scene and Mitchell was charged in the accident.

According to state records, Mitchell is listed as an absconder/fugitive, and his drug offender probation was slated to end in June 2016. His probation was for felony flee/elude a law enforcement official and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

<p>BELLEVIEW — An Oxford man who had warrants out for his arrest was taken into custody following a traffic crash Friday when a large number of pills worth thousands of dollars and a significant amount of cash was discovered in the car he was occupying.</p><p>Marques Rashad Mitchell, 28, faces multiple charges, including trafficking in hydrocodone and oxycodone and driving while license is suspended or revoked habitual.</p><p>The manager at Mr. Ed's Motel at 5035 SE Abshier Blvd. called the Belleview Police Department on Friday afternoon because of a disturbance, and Sgt. Larry Bryan went to the location. While there, Bryan saw several people arguing by a car. He then noticed a man pushing a woman out of the vehicle.</p><p>Bryan told the driver of the car to stop, but the driver told the officer he would return and drove from the parking lot.</p><p>Cpl. Jody Z. Backlund then noticed the vehicle, a white 2007 Chevy, leaving the motel's parking lot and almost striking a silver vehicle hauling a boat. The Chevy continued southbound on U.S. 441 and Backlund followed the car with lights and sirens on.</p><p>Backlund noted the Chevy reached speeds of more than 100 mph and ran at least two stop lights on U.S. 441.</p><p>Running a red light at Southeast 132nd Street Road and U.S. 441, the Chevy struck a Buick, and the impact stopped both vehicles, Backlund said.</p><p>Backlund, now joined by Deputy Justin Tortora, went to the Chevy and ordered the driver, later identified as Mitchell, to get out. Mitchell refused to get out, and had to be pulled out of the car, where he was handcuffed, police said.</p><p>Searching Mitchell's pockets, Backlund said he found numerous pills. Mitchell was then treated at the scene by Marion County Fire Rescue officials for minor injuries.</p><p>The driver of the Buick was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for treatment and is expected to recover from his injuries.</p><p>Officials said they then searched the Chevy and recovered $4,497 in cash and more pills.</p><p>The total number of pills found in Mitchell's possession and in the car was 758. Among those in his posession were: oxycodone, hydrocodone, dilaudid, alprazolam, prednisone, diazepam, methadone and naroxone. Officials estimated the street value of the pills at $17,828.</p><p>Mitchell declined to talk with Belleview officers.</p><p>At the motel, the manager said Mitchell and a girl wanted to stay at the motel. However, she said she refused to rent them a room because motel policy states if a customer does not have photo identification, they cannot rent a room.</p><p>An argument ensued, and the manager decided to call Belleview officials for assistance.</p><p>Mitchell was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he faces multiple charges. The Florida Highway Patrol also investigated the crash scene and Mitchell was charged in the accident.</p><p>According to state records, Mitchell is listed as an absconder/fugitive, and his drug offender probation was slated to end in June 2016. His probation was for felony flee/elude a law enforcement official and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.</p>